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Secret Garden Hideaway-3 bd/4bth, beautiful yard, walk to town. Pet friendly, AC

Photo gallery for Secret Garden Hideaway-3 bd/4bth, beautiful yard, walk to town. Pet friendly, AC

View out  to your Secret Garden Hideaway magical backyard
Gardens surround  the house
Exterior
Master suite has windows that surround you with views of the garden.
Custom tiled master bath, double vanity separate shower and jacuzzi tub

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 9232.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Santa Barbara, CA
  • Mission Santa Barbara
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Santa Barbara Bowl
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal)
    ‪11 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Additional sun porch sleeping area

1 Single Bed

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Living room

1 Queen Bed

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Office
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Secret Garden Hideaway-3 bd/4bth, beautiful yard, walk to town. Pet friendly, AC

Ask about possible reduced pricing for stays of over 3 months.

Nestled on a quiet street, with off-street parking, this spacious (approx 2500 sq ft) custom Craftsman offers a true retreat feel, with being downtown. Now with highest internet speed offered locally! Special low rates for four people or less. Ask for additional discount if you are taking 3 months or more.

An easy walk to the historic Mission of Santa Barbara and its beautiful lawn and rose garden. There is a coffee shop around the corner and several restaurants as well as McConnell's, Santa Barbara signature ice cream parlor just a few blocks away. Stroll downtown through residential neighborhoods. You also have easy access to Arroyo Burro beach, the best beach with free parking, showers, and a great restaurant to go for happy hour and the sunset. It is a an easy few minute, straight shot drive.

Spacious accommodations with luxurious bedding and a remodeled kitchen make for a pristine experience with all the comforts of home. Secret Garden is unique in that it is a full three bedroom four bath home. Each bedroom is very private from the other with its own bath, giving everyone a place to retreat to during the stay. There is a separate studio off the yard that works well as a separate office space, it hosts the 4th bathroom.


The (King Bed) Main Bedroom is luxurious. It features, views of the garden, walk in closet and a custom tiled, in-suite bath with double vanity with seating, separate shower and Jacuzzi tub. The second Queen bedroom is also on the ground floor. It has lovely windows, great space and a desk (all bedrooms have this feature). The upstairs Queen Bed suite features its own, private full bath and a lovely balcony area. The front sun porch has a door so it also doubles as a fourth bedroom with a Twin hide-abed in the comfy couch/chair. The Queen sofa bed in the living room gives additional sleeping area. Off the yard is an additional studio that has two small rooms and bath that works well as a craft or work space. The studio can be set up as an office. The gazebo is an additional space off the yard that right now houses a table and an exercise bike.

Keep connected with included Cox Panoramic Gigablast wifi internet the highest local speed internet offered. Perfect for those who must work from home.

This the perfect place for up to a group of 9 using all the bed spaces. It is a romantic retreat for two or three couples. Great for couples who will have family visiting for part of the stay. Pay extra only for the nights you have over 4 people staying $25 a person per night.

The living room is huge with great seating for all to enjoy the 46 inch large screen HDTV. Access your Netflix, and enjoy a movie together. If there is a musician in the group maybe they can provide something fun on included piano. A fireplace and game table complete the atmosphere. Brring out board games, cards or puzzles, for downtime while hanging at the house.

Separate dining room with seating for 8. It has a lovely bay window and is just off the kitchen and living room. A great place to spend time together sharing a meal.

Walking through to back of the house you can shut the doors on the group in in the living/dining area and enjoy a chef's dream kitchen. Plenty of counters, pull outs in all cabinets and everything you need to whip up a lovely meal. Those that want to visit or help can utilize the seating area in the kitchen. Or they may pull up to the breakfast bar and give a helping hand to preparations. Open the french doors to the back yard and enjoy the view of the garden as you cook. The large french doors make bringing the meal outside easy. The patio and beautiful Santa Barbara weather is right there outside.

Additionally, the house comes with a separate structure, an enclosed gazebo space that may be used for creative pursuits or an exercise bike, or a children's play area. Plenty of room for everyone's pursuits.

Bikers have an additional roomy storage area in the garage to store bikes. The location is great for biking town and to the beach.

The Secret Garden backyard is the Crown to the house with its area for outdoor 'fresco' dining and barbecuing on the gas barbecue. Take in the sun on the provided lounge chairs. Lovely wisteria arbor gives a great ambiance for sitting and watching all the local birds as they frequent the magical garden setting. You will not regret your time at Secret Garden. In fact you may be like others, and have difficulty leaving, hoping to return in the future.

Cancellation and refund are accepted 60 days prior to the reservation. Under 60 days prior there is no refund. Cancellation insurance is advised for cancellation needs outside this policy.

Recent 5 star review by Alicia A., May 2021
"We were very fortunate to stay at Wendy's Secret Garden Hideaway from late fall 2020 until the spring of 2021. The house and garden were perfect for our family (including dog). The house is large with many options for living arrangements and many amenities including a good washer/dryer, so it was very easy to get comfortable. We enjoyed the beautiful garden, especially in the later afternoons. There is a great coffee shop within walking distance (and ice cream) so that was fun to visit. Wendy was a generous, kind host and helped us out when our dates changed. We would certainly recommend the Secret Garden Hideaway for all seeking a nice and comfortable Santa Barbara visit."

Property manager

Wendy Rockwood
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 26
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: limit 2 total
Please check with owner if your pet is allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Any Guests of over 4 people adds $25 a night additional guest fee, can be for only part of the time staying. Perfect for inviting family.
No smoking in the house.
A rental agreement will be provided to all guest to sign and return prior to the stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number None needed

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Santa Barbara

Located by the sea, this holiday home is in Oak Park, a neighbourhood in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara Zoo is a popular area attraction and if an activity is on the agenda, Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf are worth checking out. Travelling with kids? Consider Earl Warren Showgrounds and Santa Barbara Natural History Museum. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and mountain biking.
Map
Santa Barbara, CA

What's nearby

  • Mission Santa Barbara - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Upper State Street - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse - 4 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Santa Barbara Harbor - 5 min drive - 4.8 km
  • Santa Barbara Bowl - 7 min drive - 4.1 km

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station - 9 min drive
  • Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal) - 11 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Super Cucas Meat Mar - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Live Oak Cafe - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪El Zarape - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪McConnell's Ice Cream - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch - ‬14 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Secret Garden Hideaway-3 bd/4bth, beautiful yard, walk to town. Pet friendly, AC pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Secret Garden Hideaway-3 bd/4bth, beautiful yard, walk to town. Pet friendly, AC?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secret Garden Hideaway-3 bd/4bth, beautiful yard, walk to town. Pet friendly, AC?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Secret Garden Hideaway-3 bd/4bth, beautiful yard, walk to town. Pet friendly, AC located?

This family-friendly Santa Barbara holiday home is located by the sea, within 1 mi (2 km) of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Earl Warren Showgrounds and Upper State Street. Santa Barbara Public Market and Arlington Theater are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 16 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 16 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 16 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 16 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 16 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Trinka C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Terrific stay

We had a great month long stay at the Secret Garden Hideaway!! Wendy was easy to communicate with and the house worked out perfectly for our family. Convenient location too! Book your trip to beautiful Santa Barbara!
Stayed 32 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarah F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Heavenly LilyHaven!

What a delightful property! The house was far more specious than I had expected… the bedrooms were comfortable and well appointed, and the kitchen was fabulous. My favorite part was the garden, so peaceful and serene, the perfect place to unwind and decompress from the busyness of the world beyond. I especially enjoyed starting my day with pineapple guavas fresh from the tree. Thank you so much for a lovely stay, Wendy!
Stayed 30 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rosemary M., Scottsdale Arizona

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

My Happy Place

The home was very well located in a safe neighborhood. Large home for 3 adults. Lots of space left over for more clients!. Very clean and well kept up. Extra cleaning service was a bonus. Chuck and Wendy were definitely on top of any thing we needed or where to go for dinner. Grounds were well looked after and so nice to have a large back yard to sit out in. We'd go back for another 2 months any time.
Stayed 61 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Maria B.

The Secret Garden was for 2 months the perfect haven for my son’s recovery after surgery

Our stay was of 9 weeks, during Fall of 2018. My 20 year old son and I spent the whole time at the “Secret Garden Hideaway “, which allowed him to recover from the jaw surgery at the Goleta Cottage Hospital. We had guests stay with us the first week after surgery, and for Thanksgiving, and we all fit comfortably together in the 3 bedrooms and sofabed of the living room. This house was perfect for us in so many ways. Three bedrooms, well appointed with comfortable queen size beds, desks, each with a full bathroom. Two bedrooms on the first floor, one on the second floor. The kitchen made daily cooking a pleasure, because of the light and greenery coming in from the garden and thanks to all the equipment within easy access. The living room had comfortable seating for all of us, and we enjoyed watching television with a big screen, listening to music and playing the piano and the guitar. The light and quiet that envelop the house was a gift, day after day. The location is perfect, it is in Santa Barbara, within walking range of the Santa Barbara street, the Mission, the many parks and downtown. It is within a 10 minutes drive of the airport (SBA), the hospital, the groceries stores (Gelson’s, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and more), the shopping centers, cultural venues and gourmet restaurants. It is easy to go to places with no traffic, from the city to the beach and to the mountain. The weather was another bonus: welcoming sun, blue skies and fresh temperatures between 60F and 70F (18C and 25C). The garden at the back of the house is a treasure and the house’s secret treat. It is a small paradise, with lots of green and flowers, bushes, a big avocado tree with delicious and creamy fruits and a small lemon tree. There were many things to do. We walked every afternoon, watched the sunset from the hills at Franceschi Park or at the Mission, from the beach at Stearns Wharf, the Harbour or Arroyo Burro Beach. I recommend the booklet “Walk Santa Barbara” by John McKinney, we enjoyed many of his walking tours. I strongly recommend the docent led tours of the Mission, the Courthouse, the Casa del Herrero and Lotus Garden. Wendy and Chuck were gracious hosts, very attentive and quick to provide assistance and guidance with all things of the house and of Santa Barbara. I look forward to returning to the Secret Garden with my husband and all of our children for a family reunion that will be just as memorable for all of us as this stay was for my son and I.
Stayed 59 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jane M., Cushing, ME

Best winter migration ever

We are experimenting with three-month house rentals to escape winter in Maine, and we fell in love with both Secret Garden and Santa Barbara. The house was perfect for us (and our dog, Boo), with comfortable beds, great kitchen, lots of storage space, and a private, beautifully landscaped backyard that Boo loved -- once we walked around the city, we realized what a rarity that is (the neighbors are close, but that didn't really bother us). The house is located right around the corner from Cottage Hospital and medical community, which came in handy when we had to have some unexpected tests. We love to walk, so taking a two-mile stroll up and back to downtown was a pleasure, and there's coffee house and great ice cream a few blocks away. The house is close to five supermarkets, great local hiking, beaches (Arroyo was our favorite) and sightseeing, and equidistant to wine country of Santa Ynez and Channel Islands ferry in Ventura. Tons of restaurants and take-out. We also ended up buying a bike from a local nonprofit ($75) and returning it at the end of our trip. In short, we loved our stay, and, Wendy, we hope to be back. Boo gave it five barks!
Stayed 89 nights in Jan 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Felice C.

Great house for a large group

We loved Secret Garden! It was perfect for our family reunion. The kitchen is great for a few cooks working together and the backyard is the perfect spot for entertaining.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Paul R.

Perfect family spot for a wedding weekend

We stayed here for three nights with my mother, our daughter, her husband and their baby, for our other daughter's wedding. With a large, open floor plan and three spacious ensuite bedrooms, the home was ideal for our group. There was plenty of privacy but also ample communal space to gather together. The location was close to our favorite breakfast spot -- the Daily Grind -- but on a quiet residential street away from the tourist bustle closer to State Street. The house was nicely furnished, clean and had everything we needed. Wish we had more time to take advantage of the upstairs balcony and the outside dining area and garden. It really does feel like a hideaway! We definitely recommend it and would come here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kym G., Houston, TX

Wonderful House and Location!

This house was perfect for our large family...we loved the layout as we could all be together in the open common areas but retreat to our separate areas when necessary for the babies. The location was excellent, close enough to walk to State Street, but just a short Uber ride if we didin't want to walk. Was concerned at first about no a/c but it wasn't an issue at all. Was cool with the windows open and at night had to close some. The back yard was lovely and we enjoyed wine every night at the outdoor dining table while the babies played in the yard. Would highly recommend and would stay again!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Michelle C., San Francisco

Lovely getaway

The house was comfortable for our family -- including two teenagers and a toddler. Everyone had ample space -- both for shared activities and individual relaxing. It was clean and well-stocked (with soaps, spices, etc.). Wendy was on top of every detail and provided great support throughout. It's a longer walk to downtown than we anticipated -- but certainly doable. And the location is generally convenient to getting around town (to the beach, freeway, etc.) quite easily. Recommend it.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

David P., Appleton, Wisconsin

Perfect size with all the amenities!

We traveled with a family of 6, all adults, the home had everything you needed, each bedroom had its own full bath, outdoor patio with seating for the entire family, off street parking, easy on and off the highway but very quiet, we would stay here again. We needed a cooler for the beach one day and it was delivered to our door within the hour, the owners responded immediately to our texts but never invaded our privacy. Having a washer and dryer on site was a plus. Santa Barbara is a remarkable destination and this home made it even better.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Bob C.

Very comfortable

The house was very comfortable. The location was convenient, but a long walk from downtown. You might be worried looking at the map that there would be freeway noise. That is no problem at all however. It was very quiet.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Amy R.

Great house for a family reunion

We stayed at Lilyhaven over Christmas to have a family reunion. The house was perfect for our needs, enough places that everyone could go to be separate from the group, as well as plenty of common areas to gather. The kitchen was our favorite gathering place with a good sized cooking area as well as a seating area. We walked to the Mission and the local coffee shop, as well as the playground at Oak Park. It was a great area for all of our various ages (2years to 63)
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gerald S., Palm Desert, CA

The PERFECT place for our family vacation!

What a perfect find this was for our family vacation. Our adult children met us there...we had 8 adults and 1 child total. Everyone was happy with the home, the serene backyard (where we spent every morning and evening), and the location. The home was clean and well-supplied with every amenity listed. The location had great access to the beach and to State Street. We'd definitely recommend it and would stay here again. The only thing that could have been improved was the pull-out sofa in the living room which wasn't comfortable. We ate at several restaurants in the area, visited Stearns Warf, the Fish Market, and shopped on State Street. The highlight of our trip was a family horseback ride at Vino Vaqueros Horseback Riding in Santa Ynez. Jaye is the owner of Vino Vaqueros and her service is incredible, you'll be glad you went. Also did wine tastings at Sunstone and Zaca Mesa. We preferred the service and pricing at Zaca Mesa...their Syrah (which they're know for) has been served at White House State Dinners. A close second on the trip highlights (for our family) was McConnell's Ice Cream. It's just a few short blocks away and we had ice cream four of the six nights we were there. See why it's number two on the highlight list! :-) Bottom line...if you're going to Santa Barbara, we'd definitely recommend this property.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Eddie R., Morris Plains, NJ

Favorable.

Delightful cottage, very clean, fully equipped, very good back yard. It was as advertised on VRBO. My family was very pleased. I would stay here again and also recommend it to others. Ed Rosenthal
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Val A.

Super vacation spot. Great location!

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our week-long stay at Lilyhaven, joined by a daughter, son-in-law and toddler, plus another adult daughter and her boyfriend. Each bedroom had its own bathroom with plenty of towels and toiletries. The house was spacious, spotless, and extremely well-equipped -- an important factor for us as we enjoyed cooking/grilling/eating in most evenings once our (exhausted!) grandson was in bed. We loved the sitting area in the kitchen with double doors that opened onto the little deck and back garden. What a pleasure to sit there watching the hummingbirds and butterflies -- not to mention the avocados falling from the tree!! We especially appreciated little details including very clear instructions for finding the lockbox, how to work the coffee maker, WiFi, nearby supermarkets etc. The house is super-convenient -- walking distance from town and easy on/off Rte 101. A five-star experience all round!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jon G., La Quinta, CA

Quaint older home in great location Santa Barbara

We had a great stay at Lilyhaven. It is an older home in a quiet neighborhood that is centrally located in Santa Barbara. The home is very clean and in good shape and has a very nice ambience. The value for the cost of the rental when compared to other properties in Santa Barbara is exceptional. The beds were very comfortable. During our visit, it was quite warm and we had to open up the house and use fans that were provided in every room to keep the home comfortable. The back yard is very nice and the home is well-stocked with everything you need for your stay. The seating area in the living room around the TV seats 5 comfortably while the home can accommodate up to 9 people comfortably. The owners were very good to work with and provided assistance when requested. For good Mexican food, go to the Los Agaves restaurant which is nearby. Other great restaurants were Brophy Brothers at the Harbor and the Beach House at Hendry Beach for seafood and a really interesting restaurant for California/Peruvian food is at the Indigo Hotel near the wharf. All in all, we had a great stay and will choose to rent this property again in the future.

About the host

Hosted by Wendy Rockwood

Host profile image
Wendy and Chuck are longtime residents of Santa Barbara, California, We are happy to share our love of this community with guests. In fact, that is what makes being vacation rental owners of four properties and managing them ourselves so rewarding. We have made many happy memories in all of our properties (we have lived in each one of them) and can share all the special features and local ideas with guests.

We love gardening, biking, walks on the beach and spending time with our own family which includes three grown children and five grandchildren and two great granddaughters!

Why they chose this property

We lovingly restored this 100 year old Grand Dame of a Craftsman style Bungalow to provide for current day amenities. All the while we maintained the overall decor so it is hard to see where the old ends and new begins.

'Lilyhaven' or 'Secret Garden Hideaway' as it has come to be known is truly that, a secret garden treasure in a downtown location. It is amazing how many birds inhabit the yard and the beautiful garden giving this property an outdoor presence in addition to its spectacular indoor rooms.

What makes this property unique

Tall ceilings and large rooms there is space for everyone. Each bedroom is very private from the others and has it's own bathroom. This make family gatherings easier as everyone can retreat to their own privacy should they want some space from group events.

The large living room and outdoor and indoor dining areas as well as the kitchen truly add that spacious feel. Work at the kitchen sink and take in the garden through the french doors opening on the scenic backyard.

With having a direct relationship with the owner/manager you will deal with one person from your booking to any necessary details during your stay.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests